Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Author Spotlight: Therapeutic Benefit of Closed-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation in Depression Treatment
Published on: July 7, 2023
Insights for the Next Generation of Ketamine for the Treatment of Depressive Disorder
Allana Cristina Faustino Martins1, Bretton Badenoch1, Roberto da Silva Gomes1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, United States.
Abstract:
Treatment-resistant depression responds quickly to ketamine. As an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, ketamine may affect prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurons. Recent investigations reveal that the (R)-enantiomer is the most effective and least abuseable antidepressant. The Food and Drug Administration approves only the (S)-enantiomer for medical usage. (2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine (HNK) inhibits mGlu2, linked to a Gi, in presynaptic glutamatergic neurons, increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release, which autocrinely activates Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and promotes synaptogenesis. Ketamine, originally an anesthetic, has garnered attention for its many pharmacological effects, including its potential as a rapid-acting antidepressant and recreational use. In this Perspective, we explore the synthesis, pharmacology, metabolism, and effects of ketamine and its metabolites in animal and human studies to explain the difference in the biological activity between the enantiomers.
More Related Videos
05:42Elevated Plus Maze Test Combined with Video Tracking Software to Investigate the Anxiolytic Effect of Exogenous Ketogenic Supplements
Published on: January 7, 2019
04:29Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications